Heart rate

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In physiology, the heart rate is "the number of times the heart ventricles contract per unit of time, usually per minute."[1] This may have to be presented as an average in the presence of arrythmias, such as heart block, when some contractions are missed.

Bradycardia is the condition in which the heart rate is below normal; in tachycardia, it is above normal.

In pharmacology, a drug's affect on heart rate may be predictive of the drugs benefit[2] or harm[3].

References

  1. Anonymous (2024), Heart rate (English). Medical Subject Headings. U.S. National Library of Medicine.
  2. McAlister FA, Wiebe N, Ezekowitz JA, Leung AA, Armstrong PW (June 2009). "Meta-analysis: beta-blocker dose, heart rate reduction, and death in patients with heart failure". Ann. Intern. Med. 150 (11): 784–94. PMID 19487713[e]
  3. Bangalore S, Sawhney S, Messerli FH (October 2008). "Relation of beta-blocker-induced heart rate lowering and cardioprotection in hypertension". J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. 52 (18): 1482–9. DOI:10.1016/j.jacc.2008.06.048. PMID 19017516. Research Blogging.